Top NBA Plays 12/28| Dealing with Data

We're entering the first full week of the NBA season, which means just like the Goonies we've finally got some Data to work off of. It's been kind of a crapshoot finding guys like Raul Neto for your perfect lineup yesterday, but now we start to know more about the team's trends every single day.

So hey you guys, let's get out and get that fifty dollar bill (or more) and celebrate with the truffle shuffle after tonight's 5-game slate in which everybody but the Rockets and Thunder has two games under their belts.

Today's NBA Matchups

Pistons at Hawks (-10), O/U 223, 7:30 PM ET

Atlanta looks good this year, putting up 120+ points in both of their wins. The Pistons have started 1-1, but get the best pace boost of the night (+7.94) vs. the Hawks.

Grizzlies at Nets (-5.5), O/U 233.5 7:30 PM ET

The Grizzlies have allowed 126.5 ppg in their two losses (28th), and play a Brooklyn squad with the #1 pace in the league. The Nets are on the back-to-back after visiting Charlotte yesterday, so Kevin Durant (36:21) and Kyrie Irving (36:21) usage could be interesting.

Update: Kevin Durant is OUT tonight (rest)

Jazz (-8.5) at Thunder, O/U 218 8:00 PM ET

Utah's defense looked great in holding Portland to 100 in the opener, but then they lost 111-116 at home to Minnesota on Saturday. Nonetheless, the Jazz are big road favorites against an OKC team playing their 2nd game.

Rockets at Nuggets (-6.5), O/U 222.5 9:00 PM ET

James Harden ($11.5k) popped of for 73fp in his debut Saturday night and gets a matchup with Denver, who has the #4 pace after their 0-2 start after running the 2nd slowest tempo last season.

Trail Blazers at Lakers (-3.5), O/U 225 10:30 PM ET

Portland has allowed 120+ in both of their games this year, which makes the Lakers look stackable after putting up 138 and 127 in their last two games.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

James Harden DK $11.2k | FD $11.5k

81% ownership and climbing, do you or don't you? Harden 'only' shot 22 times and with OT Saturday in Portland but also had 17 assists. He had 27/5/5, 35/3/6, and 27/7/7 in three games vs. Nuggets last season.

Dillon Brooks DK $5.5k | FD $3.7k

Like Pinot Noir and Havarti, if you are going to play Harden there's some great salary relief in Dillon Brooks, who was an $11k player Saturday vs. the Hawks. Brooks has only averaged 31fp through two games, but he's also taken 14 and 23 fga and playing a Nets team on a the back to back.

Kevin Huerter DK $4.5k | FD $5k

Kevin Huerter is the only guy within Trae Young's 36.5 ppg average on Atlanta, and he's at least gotten 10+ fga in both of the Hawks' wins. That should stand pat in a possible blowout game with ATL a -10 point favorite.

Svi Mykhailiuk DK $3.6k | FD $3.7k

Here's your other James Harden pairing, as Svi Mykhailiuk gets a huge boost at a great price tonight with Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin getting rest. The Pistons play Atlanta's pace and Mykailiuk has already managed a decent 8.5 fga in two limited minutes games.

Dennis Schroder DK $6.1k | FD $6k

It's looking a bit Laker-heavy tonight, but there's a lot of usage available if James and Davis do indeed sit. Dennis Schroder had a 39fp night in the season opener, has 10+ fga in all three games, and is up against a Trail Blazers defense that just allowed the 70+ fp night to Harden.

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Caris LeVert DK $6.6 k | FD $6.3k

LeVert has burned us since the 45 fp opener, but he's got Memphis' #28 defense tonight, and as life without Spencer Dinwiddie begins for the Nets. It's possible Durant and/or Irving sit on leg two of the back to back after missing so many games last season.

Kyle Kuzma DK $6.1k | FD $4.2k

Kuzma made the perfect lineup last night and he did so on just 12 shots and in 29 minutes. Anthony Davis might be back from his calf injury, but Lebron James could sit on the B2B and with an ankle ailment.

The LineStar Usage Matrix likes Kuz without James, AD, and Alex Caruso in the lineup.

John Collins $7.6k | FD $7k

Collins is a tread at your own risk play because he was a $13.5k player on Saturday and is up against a Detroit team missing Blake Griffin (could be good or bad). Clint Capela (ankle) makes his season debut for the Hawks tonight, but does that give Collins a boost back to the PF spot?

Royce O'Neale $4k | FD $3.8k

At the very least O'Neale should get some good rebound numbers, as he's posted 7 and 13 boards in Utah's two games. We don't know much about OKC after one game, but they gave up a 39.1fp night to P.J. Washington at the PF spot in the opener.

Montrezl Harrell DK $7.5k | FD $6.2k

DraftKings is expecting big things with that price, but there's still a bit of FD value on Harrell. The Lakers are on the B2B, but he played a sparse 20 minutes last night against the T'Wolves and still hit 6 of 10 shots. With the status of James and Davis up in the air, Harrell should see production here.

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Mason Plumlee DK $5.7k | FD $6k

About a 6X floor for Mason Plumlee who has hit 30+ fp in both games this year, but also gets a 16% usage boost without Griffin and Rose in the lineup. Add that to the pace boost of playing Atlanta and Plumdog could make you a hundredaire.

Nikola Jokic DK $9.8k | FD $10k

This slate looks like it's going to be defined by whether you roster Harden or Nikola Jokic. The Denver C is a rebound shy from starting the season with back-to-back triple doubles.

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You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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